At the present time outdoor carpet comes in a fantastic variety of both colors and styles, so having guidelines for choosing is really important. There are so many types available that it is crucial to be knowledgeable before choosing what carpeting to buy.

Not only do the materials and manufacturing techniques differ a lot from one carpet to the next, there are also options depending on the location of the carpet installation, whether it is meant for a patio, for a poolside, and so on.

Regardless of whether you live in a rainy are or not, the amount of humidity and general dampness outside your house should be your main concern.

The basic material for outdoor carpet production is olefin, which is a derived version of Polypropylene its texture is a little rough compared to other choices but it's quite resistant, so it's a decent enough choice for heavy duty use. Its resistance to sunlight is also good, so colors won't fade on an olefin outdoor carpets.

The simplest version of this kind of carpet that you will find is the Astroturf-like grassy material, well-known from stadiums and such. The basic artificial grass types are a little threadbare, and only good for areas that are not subject to heavy use.

Better quality grass-like outdoor carpeting is somewhat more expensive but can be laid out in fully exposed outdoor areas. It is advisable to select high grade outdoor grass carpet with a marine backing if the zone for installation will be subject to even moderate amounts of dampness.

The other big family of outdoor carpets is based on imitating indoor styles, but adding waterproofing. The materials are mostly synthetic, but plant-based or woolen outdoor carpets also exist. Most have a water-repellent backing and are treated to be highly mold-resistant.

You can judge this kind of outdoor carpeting according to similar criteria than for indoor carpets, e.g. look at the number4 of knots, the fibers, and so on. Plus, don't forget to consider their waterproofness.

Ask if the carpet is sunlight resistant, and if it has moisture resistant marine backing. These are the most important things to consider when buying outdoor carpet that will be subject to a lot of moisture. You can expect that the price will increase proportionally to density, size, and similar criteria.

When looking to buy outdoor carpeting, don't neglect to look at the offer in different shops, whether on-line or brick and mortar, and don't try to save a few pennies on the total as this will often affect the time before having to replace the outdoor carpet.